Friday Focus: Blessings of God

Blessings of God are innumerable, beyond count. The blessings extend to creation of earth, we live on, and the heavens above us. And the water as it falls down from the sky by the will of Allah enlivens the dry land, providing fruits for sustenance. Rivers are committed to human service. As also the seas, through which the ships sail, yet again by the will of Allah, as enshrined:

‘’God is He Who created the heavens and earth, and sends down water from the sky, and with it produces fruits for your sustenance. And He committed the ships to your service, sailing through the sea by His command, and He committed the rivers to your service’’ (14:32)

Water is called the elixir of life; Allah provides it in various forms in order to sustain life. The water that falls from the sky in the shape of rain brings alive the earth. The water from rivers is also used to irrigate the land to provide foodstuff in various forms. Technological advance amply provides the evidence that river water is also the source of energy, we use to provide comfort.

The river and the sea also serve the humanity by providing the means of transportation. The ships that sail through the seas transport men and material. Maritime trade forms the bulk of global trade. Innumerable blessings of Allah have other forms:

‘’And He committed the sun and moon to your service, both continuously pursuing their courses. And He committed the night and day to your service’’ (14:33)

Sun and the moon pursuing their course with scientific precision are clocked by nature to regulate life, wherein day is a period slated for work and the night for rest. Innumerable blessings call for prayer of thanksgiving. Not to do it would be unfair, ungrateful as well:

‘’And He has given you something of all what you asked. And if you were to count God’s blessings, you would not be able to enumerate them. The human being is unfair and ungrateful’’ (14:34)